Maine Teacher of the Year finalists give advice for new educators: ‘Just go for it. Be yourself’
Maine’s 2027 Teacher of the Year finalists have been announced, spotlighting four educators who have shaped classrooms from preschool to high school over a combined 50 years of experience. The finalists hail from across the state—Augusta, Bethel, Lewiston, and an unnamed district—each bringing a distinct teaching philosophy that earned them a place on the shortlist.
Gretchen Livingston, Augusta
Livingston teaches Spanish to middle‑school and high‑school students at Cony Middle and High School and also coaches the school’s field‑hockey and lacrosse teams. “There’s a part of you that has something to give to others. You will give, and give, and give, and give some more. However, the intangible rewards that come back to you are tenfold and then some,” she told reporters. When the demands of lesson plans and pep‑team practice overlap, Livingston flips the mindset from “I have to go do this” to “I get to do this,” a perspective that keeps her focused on teaching as a privilege.
Abby McCoy, Lewiston
McCoy, a chemistry and forensic‑science teacher at Lewiston High School, is also the advisor of the school’s Black Student Union. She says the best way to teach is to “just go for it. Be yourself,” adding, “There’s no right or wrong way to do it. The best way to teach is doing it whatever way makes you excited.” Her classrooms are known for a playful tone—goofy jokes, game‑show‑style reviews, and a palpable enthusiasm that makes science feel approachable.
Gina Welch, Bethel
Welch teaches pre‑kindergarten at Crescent Park Elementary School in Bethel, part of Maine School Administrative District 44. She reminds new teachers to “show themselves grace” in the first few years. “The first few years are really, really hard,” she said. “You probably won’t feel like you know what you are doing until a few years down the road. It’s a super hard job to find your comfort where you feel like, ‘I’ve got this, I know what I’m doing.’”
Other finalists
While the press release highlighted the three educators above, a fourth finalist—whose identity has yet to be disclosed—joins the group. Together, the finalists represent the full spectrum of Maine’s teaching community, from early childhood educators to high‑school specialists.
The award
The Maine Teacher of the Year award, presented annually by the state’s Department of Education, celebrates exceptional educators who demonstrate innovation, dedication, and a passion for student learning. Finalists are selected by a panel that considers classroom impact, leadership roles, and community engagement.
The 2027 award ceremony is scheduled for February 2027, when the winner will receive a $5,000 honorarium and a plaque honoring their service.
Maine’s finalists underscore that teaching is as much a calling as it is a profession. Whether flipping the narrative of responsibility into privilege, injecting humor into the periodic table, or navigating the challenges of early‑stage teaching, these educators exemplify the commitment that drives Maine’s schools forward.
